bible study
title: hope forever
key passage: psalm 27:1-14
an old joke asks, "what happens when you play a country song backwards?" answer: "you get your truck back, you get your dog back, and you get your girl back." actually, many songs in various music styles deal with the subject of loss. some songs express a quiet understanding, others a defiant rage against a society of "have's" and "have-not's". maybe the saddest are those where the singer has just given up all hope.
did you know songs like these have existed for thousands of years? let's look at one written by a singer/songwriter/king, david. the title is simple: psalm 27.
though david was a king, his life was by no means easy. as the youngest of many brothers he was often overlooked and forgotten. before he was king, he performed many great services for the kingdom. but his actions earned undying hatred from the king at the time, saul, who pursued david all over the countryside, trying to kill him.
and if you think becoming king makes you safe, think again. david had many children, sons who had their eye on the throne. near the end of his life david faced a coup where some of his friends joined forces against him. no, david didn't have an easy life.
yet, to read his song, it's evident that life hadn't beaten him down. though he mentions enemies and foes, there's an overwhelming note of hope all through the song.
"though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will know no fear. even if they attack me, i remain confident" (psalm 27:3). wow! we've already seen this wasn't a hypothetical situation for david, so where did his confidence come from?
the very first words of his song tell us: "the Lord is my light and my salvation--so why should i be afraid? the Lord protects me from danger--so why should i tremble?" (psalm 27:1). and later he says, "even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close" (psalm 27:10).
only a relationship with God, like david had, could ever bring joy and hope to a life like his. whatever you're going through today, add some joy and hope to it by building a relationship with God.
consider it
as you read through psalm 27, think about the following questions.
- what are all things the Lord does for david?
- what's the one thing that david asks?
- why does david ask this?
apply it
changing your perspective on life doesn't happen overnight. if this is your first time hearing the promises God has made, you're probably a little skeptical. take some time to investigate a local church. as you get to know the people there, listen to their stories and see how a relationship with God has impacted their life.
maybe you've already begun a relationship with him but need some encouragement. as you read though psalm 27, replace the troubles david lists with your experiences. but leave the rest the same.
express it
ask God to help you see life from his perspective. ask him to give you the hope and confidence to not just meet the day, but to meet it smiling. pray that people would see the difference in you and wonder about it. ask God to help you share his love with those who ask.
Source: NotReligion.com
